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Fragile peace in frozen post-Soviet conflict state

Once a popular destination for Soviet holiday-makers, post-war Abkhazia hopes to recover and regain acclaim.

The former parliament building of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, in the capital city Sukhumi was destroyed during the 1992-1993 war between Georgian troops, Abkhaz separatists, and their Russian and North Caucasian allies. [Al Jazeera]
The former parliament building of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, in the capital city Sukhumi was destroyed during the 1992-1993 war between Georgian troops, Abkhaz separatists, and their Russian and North Caucasian allies. [Al Jazeera]
By 
Al Jazeera
9 Sep 2015

Sukhumi, Abkhazia – On August 14, 1992, war exploded across the beaches and towns of Abkhazia, a small province squeezed between the Black Sea coast and the Caucasus mountains in the Republic of Georgia – itself newly gaining independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union. 

Fighting continued for 16 months between Abkhaz separatist forces backed by their Russian and North Caucasian allies and Georgian government troops. 

The Abkhaz, despite only making up about 17 percent of the population of Abkhazia (the majority being ethnic Georgian), fought for independence from Georgia. Up to 15,000 people were killed with atrocities committed on both sides.

Hundreds of thousands of people were forcibly displaced from their homes, principally those of Georgian ethnicity living in Abkhazia, whose official identity remains unresolved to this day.

Abkhazia is recognised internationally as a province of Georgia, with only a handful of states – some recognised, others not – acknowledging its sovereignty. 

Abkhaz celebrate their independence on August 26, when, in 2008, Russia formally recognised them, alongside Georgia’s other breakaway territory of South Ossetia.

The parliament building stands empty and gutted today, partly as an unofficial living memorial to a 16-month war that reportedly killed some 15,000 people. [Al Jazeera]
The parliament building stands empty and gutted today, partly as an unofficial living memorial to a 16-month war that reportedly killed some 15,000 people. [Al Jazeera]
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Sukhumi's seafront with a shrapnel-scarred pier on the Black Sea coast of the disputed territory, Abkhazia. [Al Jazeera]
Sukhumi's seafront with a shrapnel-scarred pier on the Black Sea coast of the disputed territory, Abkhazia. [Al Jazeera]
Damaged buildings throughout Sukhumi - some abandoned, others still occupied - have stood for 20 years with the pits and blast holes of conflict. [Al Jazeera]
Damaged buildings throughout Sukhumi - some abandoned, others still occupied - have stood for 20 years with the pits and blast holes of conflict. [Al Jazeera]
The crumbling Sukhumi train station, now serving as the province's public bus transport hub. [Al Jazeera]
The crumbling Sukhumi train station, now serving as the province's public bus transport hub. [Al Jazeera]
In September 1993, following an 11-day siege, Abkhaz separatists violated a ceasefire and captured the provincial capital from Georgian troops, who had been stationed there. Hundreds of civilians sheltering in Sukhumi were killed, and the event sealed the breakaway of Abkhazia from Georgia. [Al Jazeera]
In September 1993, following an 11-day siege, Abkhaz separatists violated a ceasefire and captured the provincial capital from Georgian troops, who had been stationed there. Hundreds of civilians sheltering in Sukhumi were killed, and the event sealed the breakaway of Abkhazia from Georgia. [Al Jazeera]
Fighting also raged in Abkhazia's second city, the ancient Black Sea resort town of Gagra. The plaque reads: 'Best representatives of Abkhaz nation became victims of political repressions [when they were killed] in this building in the 1930 of the 20th century.' [Al Jazeera]
Fighting also raged in Abkhazia's second city, the ancient Black Sea resort town of Gagra. The plaque reads: 'Best representatives of Abkhaz nation became victims of political repressions [when they were killed] in this building in the 1930 of the 20th century.' [Al Jazeera]
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For Imperial Russia and also during the Soviet Union, Gagra was a major holiday city - dubbed the 'Russian Riviera'. After the Soviet collapse and Georgian/Abkhaz war, the population shrank and many sprawling hillside mansions were damaged and abandoned. [Al Jazeera]
For Imperial Russia and also during the Soviet Union, Gagra was a major holiday city - dubbed the 'Russian Riviera'. After the Soviet collapse and Georgian/Abkhaz war, the population shrank and many sprawling hillside mansions were damaged and abandoned. [Al Jazeera]
The rusting railway line cuts through the steep hillsides of Gagra. [Al Jazeera]
The rusting railway line cuts through the steep hillsides of Gagra. [Al Jazeera]
Gagra's popularity among Russian holiday-makers is once again growing with Russian investment in property and infrastructure and considerable efforts to restore some of the decaying edifices. [Al Jazeera]
Gagra's popularity among Russian holiday-makers is once again growing with Russian investment in property and infrastructure and considerable efforts to restore some of the decaying edifices. [Al Jazeera]
On August 26, Abkhazia celebrated its independence, marking the date in 2008 when Russia formally recognised it. [Al Jazeera]
On August 26, Abkhazia celebrated its independence, marking the date in 2008 when Russia formally recognised it. [Al Jazeera]
The event was marked with a lavish ceremony at the main war memorial in the capital Sukhumi and was attended by hundreds of people. [Al Jazeera]
The event was marked with a lavish ceremony at the main war memorial in the capital Sukhumi and was attended by hundreds of people. [Al Jazeera]
Abkhaz relatives of those killed in the war laid wreaths in commemoration. Many of the dead, both fighters and civilians, were very young. [Al Jazeera]
Abkhaz relatives of those killed in the war laid wreaths in commemoration. Many of the dead, both fighters and civilians, were very young. [Al Jazeera]
The beachfront at Sukhumi, on August 26 - independence day - although Abkhazia's sovereignty has never been recognised by the majority of the international community. [Al Jazeera]
The beachfront at Sukhumi, on August 26 - independence day - although Abkhazia's sovereignty has never been recognised by the majority of the international community. [Al Jazeera]
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